Award-winning student starts law apprenticeship after finishing top of her class

AN INSPIRATIONAL student who fitted her degree around running her own business and raising a family is embarking on a career in law on the back of winning two university awards.

Nina Bernard, 41, is starting a solicitor apprenticeship with Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors after showing immediate potential during her studies and while working part-time as a legal assistant with the law firm for the past year.

Nina has worked tirelessly during her degree by studying on top of running her own beauty business in Cockermouth, working with Cartmell Shepherd two days a week and having a busy family life with two children.

She was rewarded with a first-class honours degree from the University of Cumbria, winning The Oxford University Press Prize for the student who had shown the greatest progress and achievement on the law course, and The Sweet and Maxwell Law Prize for achieving the highest marks.

Nina said: “The past three years have certainly been busy with all that has been going on but it’s absolutely worth it when you achieve your goals. Working at Cartmell Shepherd as a legal assistant during my final year at university was a brilliant opportunity to get real-life experience which was invaluable to my studies and I’m delighted to take that a step further as a solicitor apprentice.

“When I found out that my lecturers had nominated me for two awards, I was in shock but really pleased that they had identified me as somebody who had performed well on the course.

“I put a lot of hard work into my studies because I always want to do my best in everything, and it’s great to get that recognition that I have progressed and shown potential within law.

“I appreciate all the support I have received from Cartmell Shepherd and I’m really excited to get started and learn more about the profession through working with the team.”

Nina had always wanted to study law and decided to follow her dream when her children started school. Her ultimate ambition is to specialise in Family Law, an interest sparked at university during a guest lecture by Amy Fallows, Head of Cartmell Shepherd’s Family Law team and a part-time Deputy District Judge.

Nina approached Amy immediately after the presentation and asked if she could do some work experience at the firm – which resulted in the offer of part-time employment.

Nina is now hopeful of joining Amy and the Family Law team at Cartmell Shepherd on completion of her apprenticeship.

She said: “I was blown away by Amy’s experience and stories of her career, and she is somebody that inspires me. She is now going to be my supervisor and mentor during the apprenticeship, and I’m really looking forward to learning more from her knowledge and expertise.

“I owe a great deal to Amy already as she played a big role in creating the apprenticeship opportunity, and I aspire to keep learning and progressing to follow a similar career pathway to hers.”

Nina will split her time working between Cartmell Shepherd’s offices in Carlisle city centre and Cockermouth, in addition to studying remotely one day a week.

Carol O’Donoghue, Business Development and Marketing Director at Cartmell Shepherd, said: “Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors creates opportunities for women in law who come to the profession later in life, and we value the extensive experience and commitment they bring.

“We understand the unique challenges and aspirations of women who may have focused on other pursuits or family responsibilities before deciding to enter the legal field. The firm is dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where women can confidently embark on their legal careers through various routes, and with the right support.

“We have a high representation of female lawyers at senior board level who are role models for women who join the firm.”

Cartmell Shepherd has welcomed a further three trainees to its team. Josie Britton will start her training in the Dispute Resolution team and Lewis Jackson will train with the Business Services team at the firm’s office at Viaduct House in Carlisle city centre, while Carolina Brianezi-Melchior has started as a Trainee Solicitor with the Private Client team in Brampton.

Cartmell Shepherd Shepherd Solicitors has seven offices in Rosehill Carlisle, Carlisle city centre, Brampton, Hexham, Haltwhistle, Penrith and Cockermouth. It is the only legal firm in Cumbria to be a member of the UK200Group, and offers specialist expertise to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors.